Sore knee keeps Magic's Jameer Nelson out against the Suns

Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

PHOENIX — The Orlando Magic entered Wednesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns without Jameer Nelson.

Nelson sat out the game because of a sore left knee. The knee was sore before the Magic's 103-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night and felt more sore afterward, Nelson and coach Jacque Vaughn said.

"It was swollen the other day, and I tried to rest it a little bit," Nelson said before tipoff against the Suns. "Unfortunately, it got a little more swollen than it was."

Rooting interestTobias Harris has more reason to watch the NCAA Tournament than any of his Magic teammates.

One of his younger brothers, Tyler Harris, plays for Providence, which will play in the Round of 64 on Friday night against North Carolina.

Tobias expects to watch the game on TV when the Magic are in Salt Lake City.

Tyler began his college career at NC State before he transferred to Providence.

"It'll be exciting," Tobias said. "He's worked so hard in his college career, being at NC State and transferring and sitting out and being able to stay positive and keep working as hard as he can. I'm so glad that they made the tournament."

Tobias and Tyler often work out together during the offseason, beginning their days at 6 a.m.

"He pushes me," Tobias said. "I push him each and every day in our one-on-one games. I don't like playing him anymore because it'll just end up in an argument or a fight. But it's all love and I just want him to be the best player he can be and just continue to grow."

Dedmon contributesThe lopsided loss to the Warriors also allowed Vaughn to play rookie center Dewayne Dedmon for the entire fourth quarter. In 12 minutes, Dedmon scored four points, collected three rebounds and didn't commit a turnover.

"I thought his minutes were really good," Vaughn said. "He rebounded the basketball. He just made the right and the simple play. He did what he's supposed to do on the defensive end of the floor. He has the ability athletically to get up and get up and down the floor."

The stint gave Dedmon his first extended playing time since he first joined the Magic on Feb. 25.

"It definitely showed that I do have the ability to play at this level," Dedmon said. "It took me a minute to kind of get comfortable. When I first got in there, I was like, 'Whoa, I'm in the game now!' But as I calmed down, I got in the flow of the game."

Afflalo seeks a rhythmAfflalo endured a pair of off nights in the Magic's game Friday against the Washington Wizards and Tuesday versus the Warriors, going a combined nine for 28 from the field for a total of 22 points.

"I'm not really too much worried about it at this point," Afflalo said. "I have to just figure it out. It's tough to get in and out of rhythm within the season. I'll just do my best to finish out the [rest of the season] strong and over the summer it's one of those things where I'll just have to evaluate it and prep yourself for next season."

Against Golden State, he made two of his seven shot attempts and finished with four points.

Vaughn didn't sound worried about Afflalo's lack of touches. In the first half, the Magic shot 54 percent from the field and tallied assists on 16 of their 20 baskets.

"Early on I don't think the ball found his hands," Vaughn said. "We did have 16 assists in the first half, and we were just moving the basketball. I've always talked about, 'I don't know who's going to get it.' If we can move it, I'm OK with that and living with the consequences."